|
|
|
|
|
|
morning coming into the antechamber. "When the children are abed after dinner, we can list those who should be asked." His quick smile and the next words took the sting from the remark. "I am starving." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alinor chuckled. "If you do nothing but eat and sleep, you will get fat." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Not I. I have been trying to put on some flesh for years. It would do wonders for my jousting." But his thoughts had already left the jest. "Alinor, do you know what Beorn's trouble is? I mean, is it somewhat to do with his duties or is it some personal matter?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I am sure it has to do with the outlaws that infest the roads. A private matter he would have brought to me. They have been eluding him more and more easily, and he does not know why or how to lay them by the heels. He is not accustomed to watching what men do and judging from that what next they will do. All his life he followed ordersmy grandfather's, Sir Andre's, Simon's. They planned; he obeyed. He does not know how to change, and I cannot explain." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"That was what I feared. I saw a burned village, and I saw the serfs hide when they heard my horse. I will go out with him today and see what I can discover. Peste!" he exclaimed, "you will have to take those bandages off. My hauberk will not go over them." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I will not, nor will you. Those sores are healing at last. I will not have my work undone. You can wear Simon's." There was a momentary tight silence. This was far different from giving Ian Simon's clothing. It was customary for clothing to be lent to any noble visitor to a castle, but not a precious chain-mail hauberk. Then Alinor went on smoothly, "And do not dare wear your shield and rub that whole side raw again. Let one of the squires carry it." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian shook his head and then suddenly smiled. "Let me take Adam. He is strong enough to wear it, I think. I will tell Beorn to bring along an extra ten men who |
|
|
|
|
|